title: Educational support for the dental workforce: a review of the first five years of Retaining and Returning Advisers in England.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Retaining and Returning Advisers (RRAs) were appointed to postgraduate dental deaneries in England in 2002 as part of the Government's strategy to retain the dental workforce and support return to practice following a career break. The study aimed to review RRAs' activities and consider the overall success of the RRA initiative five years from inception (2007).
  
  
  METHODS
  A case study design, conducted in three phases, drawing on qualitative data. In Phase 1, semi-structured interviews were held with all RRAs in England (n=12). Phase 2 involved an electronic survey of all 12 postgraduate dental deans in England (n=10). In Phase 3, analysis was undertaken and a final report prepared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RRAs have been flexible in responding to the changing policy context, and devolved funding for the role to the local, deanery level. They have adapted to support more diverse target groups including those seeking vocational training equivalence and underperforming dentists. Future priorities were envisaged to be associated with primary care trusts' commissioning and quality assurance responsibilities, and supporting all members of the dental team.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RRAs have become well-established in deaneries and have made a successful contribution to addressing workforce and educational needs for a diverse group of practitioners.
authors.affiliation: NHS West Midlands, St Chad's Court, 213 Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 9RG. jane.davies-slowik@westmidlands.nhs.uk
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Davies-Slowik
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Firmstone
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frame
mesh_terms: D002321:Career Choice; D003797:Dental Staff / Q000193:education; D003815:Dentists; D003816:Dentists, Women; D004496:Education, Continuing; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004498:Education, Dental, Continuing; D004518:Education, Professional, Retraining / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004739:England; D005551:Foreign Professional Personnel; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011364:Professional Practice; D011640:Public Policy; D012575:Schools, Dental / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D013192:Staff Development; D013218:State Dentistry / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000078329:Workforce